Google Health for Type 1 Diabetics

Have you ever wanted to go through all of those printouts and papers from the doctor and consolidate the information into one easy-to use and access area? Google Health makes this possible!

What is Google Health?

Google Health is a free service provided by Google and was released on May 20, 2008. It is a service that allows users to enter in their health information into one central database location and access that information when they need it. It is easy to use and is very useful for type 1 diabetics who are looking for a better way than a notebook to keep track of HbA1c results and other tests that are important for diabetics to keep record of.

Some of the information that Google Health users can enter into the system include medications, health conditions, allergies, lab results, and other useful information. One of the coolest things about this service is that you can search the Google database for medications that you use, and it can alert you to possible drug interactions and potential issues with your medication.

How can Google Health help me?

One of the potentials for type 1 diabetics to really put Google Health to good use is in spotting trends. The ADA (American Diabetes Association) recommends that type 1 diabetics have their HbA1c checked by their doctor every 3 or 4 months. This will help you get an overall picture of your blood glucose levels. Using Google Health, you are able to enter these results and spot changes in the lab results. Your doctor will most likely be keeping track also, but it’s always good to have that information for yourself. Also, if you tell your doctor that you have been keeping your health records organized, she’ll be very proud!

Is my information safe online?

The topic of online security has been a hot topic of debate lately. With all of the information flying around the internet, many people are wary of using online services to store personal information. Google Health is an opt-in, free service provided by Google. Google can only see the information that you enter into the system. Although the information is safe, you should not enter in very personal information if you have concerns about privacy. An interesting note, though is that many experts are saying that the information entered into Google Health is more secure than your actual records begin stored in your doctors office.

Get it set up!

First off, you will need to make sure that you have a gmail account to get Google Health set up and running. Just go to Google.com and click on the sign up link. Once that is set up, or if you already have gmail account, make sure that you are logged in and go to Google Health. From there you can set up your profile, add health conditions, and add medications, in addition to many other things.